Heat and health

Hot weather - There is lots of advice on how to reduce hot weather related health risks. Public Health England has a Heat Health Watch Service Forecast in England which triggers action to reduce the risk to health from hot weather.

Heat Health Watch Service

Heatwaves can be dangerous, especially for the very young, the elderly or those with a chronic disease. Prolonged exposure to very high temperatures can mean the body is unable to reduce its own temperature, causing dehydration and heatstroke, which can be fatal. In particular, hot temperatures overnight make it difficult for the body to cool.

The Heat Health Watch Service operates in England from 1 June to 15 September each year, in association with Public Health England.

The Met Office forecasts day-time and night-time maximum temperatures, which are monitored regionally. When certain heat thresholds are passed, a warning is issued and sent to relevant NHS, social care, local and national government professionals, well as being displayed on our website. This enables organisations, frontline staff and individuals to take action to minimise the impact of the heat on peoples' health.

Our UV index forecast identifies the strength of the ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun at a particular place on a particular day, allowing you to take the necessary precautions to help reduce the impact of UV on your health.